Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance will present WinterDance 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5, and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in Chapman Theatre at Nichols Hall.

WinterDance 2013 features a variety of dance styles, including modern, tap, jazz, African, ballet and more.

The K-State Tap Dance Ensemble, directed by Julie Pentz, associate professor of dance, will perform a new work. Pentz also has created a new classical jazz piece, "Twisted," which features 10 dancers. David Ollington, associate professor of dance, will present two new works, including a dance with a Christmas theme.

Laura Donnelly, assistant professor of dance, will present part two of her "Crystal Ballet," featuring an original composition by K-State alumnus Bryce Craig. The "Crystal Ballet" movements are inspired by the transformative process of the ordering of molecules in a crystal when it is heated, melts and turns into a liquid.

The K-State African Music and Dance Ensemble will perform a new traditional piece titled "Bamaya," which is based on a traditional social dance of the Dagomba culture in Northern Ghana that is performed at social events or on stage by professional companies. The lead drums for the ensemble, called "talking drums," mimic the native language of the culture and are part of the communication between the musicians and dancers. The ornate pom-pom belts are a traditional part of the wardrobe and emphasize the hip movements of the dance.

General admission seating is $10 for students and $15 for the public, plus applicable taxes and fees. For more information on tickets, call 785-523-6428 or visit the McCain Auditorium box office.

The following students are members of the cast or crew for WinterDance:

Travis Fritson, senior in architectural engineering, Abilene, sound board operator; Rachel Arbuckle, junior in elementary education, Andover, Barbie; Makayla Weiser, freshman in political science, Bonner Springs, dancer; Mary Wahlmeier, junior in music, Burlington, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Kristin Chase, senior in theatre, Chanute, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Ryan Moos, sophomore in music education, Clay Center, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble.

Blake Cordell, sophomore in applied music, Derby, stage crew/gel changer; Danielle Jones, senior in applied music, Dodge City, wardrobe crew; Emily Warriner, senior in agribusiness, Effingham, rehearsal assistant, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Morgan Nail, sophomore in communication studies, Emporia, dancer; Bonny Boultinghouse, junior in management, Great Bend, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble.

From Greater Kansas City: Megan Herbers, sophomore in biology, dancer, and Caitlyn Vohs, senior in civil engineering, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble, both from Lenexa; Hannah Yeoman, sophomore in biology, Mission Hills, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Jeremy Reynolds, freshman in music education, Olathe, musician; Paige Heinze, senior in elementary education, dancer, Tiffani Lawrence, freshman in secondary education, dancer and understudy, Bailey Miller, freshman in elementary education, dancer, and Sarah Rawitch, freshman in kinesiology, dancer, all from Overland Park; and Jamie Teixeira, senior in English, Shawnee, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble.

Hope Goertzen, senior in theatre, Hesston, dancer, mom and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Bethany Parker, freshman in secondary education, Hill City, dancer; Drew Reisner, senior in theatre, Hoisington, lighting design; Heidi Floyd, senior in theatre, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble, and Whitney Moore, freshman in theatre, dancer, both from Junction City; Kaitlyn Long, sophomore in animal sciences and industry, Leavenworth, dancer; Kimmi Stephens, junior in family studies and human services, dancer, and Rachel Wittry, freshman in general agriculture, dancer and understudy, both from Louisburg.

From Manhattan: Logan Barnes, sophomore in theatre, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Kaitlin Downing, master's student in English, dancer; Mathew Ellis, senior in theatre, G.I. Joe; Andrea Fournier, senior in elementary education, understudy; Emmianne Jagosz, freshman in apparel and textiles, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Liz Logback, freshman in open option, dancer; Madison Long, sophomore in chemistry, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Angelica McKinnis, senior in fine arts, stage manager; Michelle Page, senior in geology, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Daniel Phillips, senior in mechanical engineering, rehearsal assistant; Matt Tredway, senior in architectural engineering, stage crew/gel changer; and Christopher Zimmerman, senior in music education, dad.

Alana Pfeifer, senior in theatre, Marysville, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; McKayla Peelen, sophomore in kinesiology, Ottawa, dancer; Tori Happel, junior in kinesiology, Salina, dancer; Cat Huck, junior in philosophy and theatre, Scott City, wardrobe crew; Emily Barnhill, senior in theatre, Spring Hill, dancer and daughter; Courtney Hoover, sophomore in theatre, dancer, and Billie Wallaker, junior in theatre, dancer, both from St. George; Sydney Ho, junior in mathematics education, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble, and Kelli Young, freshman in theatre, assistant stage manager, both from Topeka; Katie Wunder, freshman in athletic training, Valley Falls, K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Katie Helmer, senior in architectural engineering, Wichita, lighting design; Eli Camp, freshman in business administration, Winfield, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; and Kristin Kelly, junior in theatre, Yates Center, light board operator.

From out of state: Mark Hay, senior in theatre, Thousand Oaks, California, dancer, son and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Abigail Owen, senior in nutrition and kinesiology, Durango, Colorado, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; Tanniqua-Kay Buchanan, senior in regional and community planning, Glenwood Estates, Illinois, understudy.

From Missouri: Taylor Mann, junior in biology, Joplin, understudy; Matt DeCapo, master's student in geography, Kansas City, musician; Lexy Nelson, sophomore in dance, Peculiar, dancer and K-State Tap Dance Ensemble; and John LaFontain, senior in architecture, St. Louis, musician.

Mara Atzenhoffer, sophomore in theatre, Avon, Ohio, wardrobe crew; Norman Hanks, master's student in theatre, Smyrna, Tennessee, wardrobe supervisor; Ryan Strunk, freshman in music education, Rockport, Texas, musician; and Ashlenn Wellbrock, freshman in pre-psychology, Wylie, Texas, dancer.

From out of country: Valerie Mlynarova, special undergraduate in psychology, Czech Republic, dancer; and Mary Abounabhan, freshman minoring in dance, Lebanon, dancer.